My take on the Summit & the International Gathering of Worker Co-operators 

By Hazel Corcoran, CWCF Executive Director

There is a series of intersecting crises today, of an environmental, social and economic nature, and I believe that the co-operative model, practiced fully, is the best hope for the human race. There were some sessions at the Quebec International Summit which made this apparent, notably the powerful speech by Jeffrey Sachs, which was a wake-up call to all co-operativists who care about the environment - which I hope is all of us.  In summary (quoting the October 15th International Summit newsletter), "With some 3,000 attendees from 93 countries, 211 speakers, seven round tables, 22 forums, 26 newly presented studies, 55 Rendez-vous, an international exhibition, and social media reach to an audience of nearly 4 million, the 2014 International Summit of Cooperatives was a success right down the line."  Check out the "In the News" Summit summary.  (This is a video gallery.)  It was a phenomenal gathering, and one which has the ability to capture significant media attention --at least in the francophone press -- something which is desperately needed and very important or the co-operative movement.  

A speaker at the first edition of the Quebec Summit had stated that we need a "co-operative revolution"- this is still, plainly true and the Summit helps.  I would say that we also need a revolution inside the co-operative movement, as in some corners of the co-op movement, people no longer recognize the fundamental difference between a co-operative and a conventional business; those of us who do need to help it re-connect those people to our co-operative roots: the values and principles. and the responsiveness to human need which is at the heart of co-operation.   

Fortunately, the Young Leaders delegation had a group which drafted a Declaration, complementary to the main Summit Declaration, which does exactly that.  They are asking for comments and signatories, by both individuals and organizations.  See:  http://s.coop/youthjeunesse2014.  Further, re: the main International Summit Declaration, quoting the Summit site, "In light of the discussions held during the 2014 International Summit of Cooperatives, the participants declare the following: We need more, stronger, innovative and influential cooperatives that commit to ensuring food security, continue their role as creators of wealth and jobs and step up their efforts to improve access to health care and services. Download the Draft Declaration. Your comments can be sent by email until October 31, 2014."   I encourage everyone to give comments on both the main Summit Declaration, and the Young Leaders' Declaration, as well as to sign the latter; no signatures are sought on the former.  

International Gathering of Worker Co-operatives 2014   

At the Gathering of Worker Co-operatives, hosted by CWCF and the R�seau with participation of CICOPA on Oct. 6th as part of the Summit, we saw the strength and power of the worker co-operative model around the world where the co-operative values resonate strongly. We heard about the explosive growth of the model around the world, at least where favourable conditions including co-op-supportive public policy are in place, e.g., in Argentina. We also learned about the strength and power in the Mondragon Co-operative Corporation, with the tagline "Humanity at Work"- which they live. We learned that the worker co-op movement is seeing explosive growth in many countries and is the fastest growing form of co-operative.

(�tats-Unis) Building Co-operative Power (BCP) pr�sente le concept de la coop�ration du travail et son histoire dans la vall�e du fleuve Connecticut. Ce livre se veut un guide et une source d'inspiration pour l'�mergence de coop�ratives de travailleurs aux �tats-Unis. Clique Ici pour livre